Time for a break! These 6 apps guide you to the perfect break moment.

Breaks work. But how do you get the most out of a break and what is a healthy break moment? Everyone knows that sitting still too long behind your computer is unhealthy and does not benefit concentration. Meanwhile, it is widely known that prolonged sitting has become the new smoking.

That’s why we’d like to give you some concrete tips about break apps that help you and your employees take timely breaks at work and get the most out of a break, so you’re fully ready to go again afterwards.

Intensive computer work without regular breaks can cause a range of complaints, from concentration problems to headaches, neck and back pain, and other issues that can lead to chronic conditions and an increased risk of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases over time.

Therefore, it is important to use break moments to create awareness and behavioral change in your company culture, so your employees learn to take optimal breaks and thus can stay mentally and physically healthy. The ideal break focuses on:

• (Dis)connection: use your break to take some distance from work and connect with your colleagues.
• Movement: stretch your legs, quickly visit the shop down the street, run to your parking disc… whatever you do, movement helps you fully concentrate again after the break.
• Healthy snacks: eating a healthy snack with your colleagues ensures you can dive back in full of energy after your break.

Break apps

A break app can help you take a healthy break regularly by reminding you when it’s time to do something different.

Many break apps work according to the Pomodoro technique, which consists of working focused and productively for 25 minutes (a ‘pomodoro’), then taking a short 5-minute break. After doing this 4 times, your body and mind deserve a longer 25-minute break.

The big advantage of a break app is that you don’t have to manually schedule your day; the app tells you exactly when it’s time for a rest moment.

We have listed 6 handy technological tools for you so that you and your employees can take healthy breaks without worries:

• Smartwatch or activity tracker: you can set this to give you a gentle, discreet nudge when it’s time to move and stretch your legs briefly. Moreover, you get cheers when you actually move and can visually track your daily progress as motivation.
• Rise&Recharge app: this app was developed to reduce your employees’ sitting time and encourage regular movement to boost their energy levels and productivity.
• Break Timer in Chrome: Chrome, Google’s browser, allows you to set the ‘Break Timer’ so you get a fullscreen message when it’s time to take a break.
• Tomato-Timer: simple but effective. This flexible, hands-on Pomodoro timer helps you apply the Pomodoro technique. You set the timer and work on your task until you get a signal. You take a 5-minute break, and after 4 ‘pomodoros’ you take a longer break.
• PomoDoneApp: this app is very suitable for people who already use various handy apps to organize their private and professional lives. The app integrates seamlessly with numerous time management tools like Trello, Wunderlist, and many others. It is also highly customizable.

Smartphone apps: you usually always have your smartphone with you. These apps measure your activity (or lack thereof) from your pocket and notify you when it’s time to get up and move! For Android, for example, there is the SittingTimer.

Or prefer old-school?

Of course, there are also old-school methods to encourage regular breaks without an app, such as a post-it on your screen reminding you to move. Your calendar reminding you that you deserve a break. Schedule recurring meetings with colleagues that remind you to take a break together. You can also link a movement moment to fixed, recurring team meetings by taking the stairs together to the meeting room instead of the elevator, or booking a meeting room a bit further away.

Or how about a good-old physical timer? A little clock you put on your desk that straightforwardly reminds you to take a break. It also helps you truly disconnect from all digital distractions so you can focus on the task you want to complete.

The important thing is to choose a solution that fits within the company culture, can improve connection between employees, and helps your employees stay healthy and productive. So try to choose what works and fits within your company and is adaptable to the situation.

Enjoy your break!